Improvement in apparatus for illuminating scale-beams



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J. W. WOOD.

APPARATUS F'on ILLUMINATING SCALE-BEAMS.

7 7 8 1 2 1 e m A 7 w F n e k a P H 1 A 0 1 9 1n 9 v1 0 N WITNESSES 3 a UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIOE.

JOSHUA W. WOOD, OF LOAMI, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT lN APPARATUS FOR ILLUMINATING SCALE-BEAMS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. l9l,9l0, dated June 12, 1877; application filed April 23,1877.

To all. whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSHUA W. WOOD, of Loami, in the county of Sangamon, and State of Illinois, have invented a new and Improved Apparatus for Illuminating Scale-Beams, of which the following is a specification Figure l is a side elevation of a scale-beam with my improvement attached. Fig. 2 is a transverse section on line a: .r in Fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

My invention consists in the combination of an illuminating device with the sliding loop to which the weight is attached, and also in the combination of reflectors with the loop and with the beam, for the purpose of throwing light upon the side of the scalebeam, which would otherwise be dark.

In the drawing, A is the beam of an ordinary scale. B is the sliding loop which surrounds the beam and is attached to the weight a. O is a reflector attached to the loop B, and adjusted to reflect light from any direction upon the beam A. D is a reflector having about the same length as the graduated portion of the scale-beam, and is pivoted at the center of its ends to the studs 12 that project horizontally from the beam A. This reflector is capable of turning on its pivots to any required angle.

The reflectors D C are designed for throwing the light from a window or fixed artificial light on the side of the scale-beam which would otherwise lack illumination. Sufficient light may in this manner be thrown on the dark side of the beam to enable the figures to be read.

Another method of illuminating the scalebeam consists in attaching'to the sliding loop of the scales a socket, c, in which is placed a vial, d, which is filled with a mixture of phosphorus and oil or other luminii'erous mixture. When the reflector O or the vial d is used. it is obvious that they must move along the scale-beam with the weight.

In place of the vial a small lamp may be used, which will aiford sufficient light to read the graduations of the beam.

The advantages claimed for my invention are that the graduations of the beam may be illuminated so as to be read without the trouble and danger of carrying about a lamp for the purpose.

In many stores and shops the scales are placed where they are poorly lighted, even in the day-time, and it is necessary to light a lamp, or at least a match, to see the graduations. By my improvement these difiiculties are obviated.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In combination with the scalebeam, a device for throwing light on the same, said device being adapted to be moved along the beam, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In combination with the scale-beam A, the reflector G and sliding loop B, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

JOSHUA WOOLSTON WOOD.

Witnesses:

G. W. CAMPBELL, J. JONES. 

